While exploring various texts, we will consider them through the following lenses: Reader-Response The reader-response context is the starting point of any good discussion. This is where you identify what you love, hate, and/or are indifferent to about the literature (or any topic for that matter). This is also where you explore why you feel the way you do. There is no right or wrong. The following questions are meant to be used as guides and/or starting points. If the discussion blossoms from them, perfection! If not, feel free to move on to another question. Questions can be answered in any order. Favorites: Who were your favorite characters? Why?What were your favorite themes? Why?What were your favorite plot points? Why?
What was your favorite thing about the author's writing style? Why? Any favorite quotes? Why?
Annoyances/Made Me Growl:Which characters made you want to throat-punch them (metaphorically speaking of course)? Why?Which themes annoyed you? Why?Which plot twists were groan-inducing? Why?What about the author's writing style annoyed you? Why?If you found yourself feeling rather meh about the reading, why do you think that is? Personal Connection:Who or what in the reading reminded you of someone you know or something you've seen, heard, or experienced first-hand? What was similar?If the reading didn't remind you of anything you've seen, heard, or experienced, or anyone you know, what was most foreign or surprising? What made it feel that way? Consider the following analogy: if you are entering a maze, the reader-response gets ya' in the first path, maybe even a few turns as well. The following contexts might lead to a dead-end, a Griever, or to another open path; you won't know until you try. The good news is that the discussion won't sting or slice you or make you hallucinate old memories. At least, I hope not. Historical The historical context of a piece of writing is two-fold: the setting (where and when) of the writing as well as the occasion (where and when) of the author at the time of composition. There are times when both of these are blatantly present, times when they are subtly developed, and times when they are glaringly omitted. As with any good labyrinth, sometimes there's a reason for it, sometimes not. It's up to you to figure it out. Use the following questions to guide you. Basics:
Identify the setting (when and where) of the writing. Be as specific as the details the author provides allow.
Identify the occasion (when and where) of the author at the time of composition. Again, be as specific as the details provided allow. For this, you may also wish to use your prior knowledge to help (example: looking at the copyright date and considering what you know that was going on in the world at that time, or drawing connections between plot events and other historical events).
Resonation:What is similar about the current time and place and the setting of the writing? The occasion? What is different about the current time place and the setting of the writing? The occasion of the author? Impact:
What about the setting (both time and place) is vital to the conflict (plot)? Why? What about the setting (both time and place) is vital to the characterization? Why? What about the setting (both time and place) is vital to the theme(s)? Why?
What about the occasion (both time and place) is vital to the conflict (plot)? Why? What about the occasion (both time and place) is vital to the characterization? Why? What about the occasion (both time and place) is vital to the theme(s)? Why?
Development:How does the author reveal the historical context(s)? Through plot? Characterization? Find concrete examples. Cultural The cultural context is often correlated to the historical context and explores various components of cultural identity. This context can be broken down further into those components, such as ethnicity, religion, nationality, but for the purpose of this course, we will keep it inclusive. As with the historical context, sometimes this will be boldly present, intimated, or seemingly non-evident. The reason is up to you to discern. Use the following questions to guide you. Identity:
What is/are the ethnicity/ethnicities of the characters? How can you tell? What is the ethnicity of the author? How can you tell (other than googling)? What cultural traditions/beliefs are present in the writing? How can you tell? What religion(s) is/are the characters? How can you tell
What religion is the author? How can you tell?
What is/are the nationality/nationalities of the characters? How can you tell? What is the nationality of the author? How can you tell (other than googling)?
Once you determine which of the above are present in the writing and stressed by the author, answer the following question according to that focus:
How does the (pick one) ethnicity, religion, nationality, traditions/beliefs influence the plot development or conflict? Influence the characterization? Influence the theme(s)?
Gender The gender context is usually referred to the feminist context as that has been the primary focus of most analysis. However, I think excluding half of the global population limits understanding, especially given how it is often the interaction between the two that provides the greatest opportunity for juxtaposition of characteristics and qualities. This context is often correlated with the historical and cultural contexts but not necessarily so. It is also important to note that while most writing incorporates gender roles because it is human nature to do so, the author is not necessarily focusing on it intentionally. It is up to you to figure out if this is another turn toward the heart of the maze or a trap for a Griever. Use the following questions to guide you.
Identify the gender roles portrayed in the writing for both male and female.
Are they stereotypical or atypical for the time period/culture of the setting? Are they stereotypical or atypical for today's time period?
Does the author seem to be saying these roles are positive or negative? How can you tell?
(It is important you be careful not to project your beliefs/attitude about these roles onto the writing. It is perfectly okay, and to be honest, sometimes necessary, to vehemently disagree (or agree) with an author's attitude about this.)
How does the author create or develop these roles? Through plot points? Through writing style?
Reader-Response
The reader-response context is the starting point of any good discussion. This is where you identify what you love, hate, and/or are indifferent to about the literature (or any topic for that matter). This is also where you explore why you feel the way you do. There is no right or wrong.
The following questions are meant to be used as guides and/or starting points. If the discussion blossoms from them, perfection! If not, feel free to move on to another question. Questions can be answered in any order.
Favorites:
Who were your favorite characters? Why?What were your favorite themes? Why?What were your favorite plot points? Why?
What was your favorite thing about the author's writing style? Why? Any favorite quotes? Why?
Annoyances/Made Me Growl:Which characters made you want to throat-punch them (metaphorically speaking of course)? Why?Which themes annoyed you? Why?Which plot twists were groan-inducing? Why?What about the author's writing style annoyed you? Why?If you found yourself feeling rather meh about the reading, why do you think that is?
Personal Connection:Who or what in the reading reminded you of someone you know or something you've seen, heard, or experienced first-hand? What was similar?If the reading didn't remind you of anything you've seen, heard, or experienced, or anyone you know, what was most foreign or surprising? What made it feel that way?
Consider the following analogy: if you are entering a maze, the reader-response gets ya' in the first path, maybe even a few turns as well. The following contexts might lead to a dead-end, a Griever, or to another open path; you won't know until you try. The good news is that the discussion won't sting or slice you or make you hallucinate old memories. At least, I hope not.
Historical
The historical context of a piece of writing is two-fold: the setting (where and when) of the writing as well as the occasion (where and when) of the author at the time of composition. There are times when both of these are blatantly present, times when they are subtly developed, and times when they are glaringly omitted. As with any good labyrinth, sometimes there's a reason for it, sometimes not. It's up to you to figure it out.
Use the following questions to guide you.
Basics:
Resonation:What is similar about the current time and place and the setting of the writing? The occasion? What is different about the current time place and the setting of the writing? The occasion of the author?
Impact:
Development:How does the author reveal the historical context(s)? Through plot? Characterization? Find concrete examples.
Cultural
The cultural context is often correlated to the historical context and explores various components of cultural identity. This context can be broken down further into those components, such as ethnicity, religion, nationality, but for the purpose of this course, we will keep it inclusive. As with the historical context, sometimes this will be boldly present, intimated, or seemingly non-evident. The reason is up to you to discern.
Use the following questions to guide you.
Identity:
Once you determine which of the above are present in the writing and stressed by the author, answer the following question according to that focus:
Gender
The gender context is usually referred to the feminist context as that has been the primary focus of most analysis. However, I think excluding half of the global population limits understanding, especially given how it is often the interaction between the two that provides the greatest opportunity for juxtaposition of characteristics and qualities. This context is often correlated with the historical and cultural contexts but not necessarily so. It is also important to note that while most writing incorporates gender roles because it is human nature to do so, the author is not necessarily focusing on it intentionally. It is up to you to figure out if this is another turn toward the heart of the maze or a trap for a Griever.
Use the following questions to guide you.
- Identify the gender roles portrayed in the writing for both male and female.
- Are they stereotypical or atypical for the time period/culture of the setting? Are they stereotypical or atypical for today's time period?
- Does the author seem to be saying these roles are positive or negative? How can you tell?
(It is important you be careful not to project your beliefs/attitude about these roles onto the writing. It is perfectly okay, and to be honest, sometimes necessary, to vehemently disagree (or agree) with an author's attitude about this.)